Luke 13 reminds me of the 1987 fire at London’s King’s Cross underground station. It is a classic example of the human capacity to ignore danger in favor of routine. People literally followed their regular morning pattern into the subway. Despite the smoke and fire, people got onto escalators that carried them to their death, completely oblivious to the mayhem ahead. Psychologists call it a Normalcy Bias. Today’s chapter looks at our own awareness. We begin with a question posed to Jesus about innocent and godly men that were killed by Pilate. Their question implied that these men were somehow unworthy. It is similar to how we typically respond after we are told someone has lung cancer when we ask, “Were they a smoker?” Somewhere inside we want to believe we will escape, but death awaits us all. Jesus repeated the same answer two times, “But unless you repent, you too will all perish”. God has one standard, and that standard is perfection. We are either perfect, or a sinner. The Bible teaches that all have sinned and fallen short of perfection. With a brief parable Jesus explained that a fruit tree that does not bear fruit has no value. The caretaker asked for permission to “dig around it and fertilize it”, then recheck to see “If it bears fruit next year… If not, then cut it down”. Friend, are you aware of the types of fruit God expects your life to produce?
Next we read “Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues” on the Sabbath. He saw a woman hunched over, unable to straighten up. Jesus called to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity”, “Then He put His hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God”. The synagogue leader was incensed, noting that there are six days for work. Jesus passionately responded, “You hypocrites! Doesn’t each of you on the Sabbath untie your ox or donkey”, shouldn’t this woman “be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?” Are you burdened by tradition, or habit, or fear?
For the rest of the chapter, Jesus points ahead. First, by describing the kingdom of God as a mustard seed planted in the garden, growing into a tree large enough for birds to perch in the branches. Next, as yeast worked into a large portion of flour. Together these images would have been offensive to the Jew. They picture rapid growth, with corrupt elements contained within. The fermenting process adds flavor and texture to the bread along with a reduced shelf-life. Both the plant and the bread are best while fresh and new. Waiting too long is not a great idea. In the next parable Jesus described a similar urgency to “enter through the narrow door”. Adding, “Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading… There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth”. The chapter closes with Jesus being warned to “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill You”. Instead, Jesus wept for the great city, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing”. Just as He does today, He called and warned the people, but many are too distracted, following their normal routines while racing toward eternity. To those that have no time for God, He shouts, “Look, your house is left to you desolate”. My friend, it is not too late to look and see the dangers ahead. The once-and-for -all sacrifice was made on the cross for all imperfect sinners. Will you believe? Listen to the warning, “I tell you, you will not see Me again until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord’”. Please hear the warning, unless you repent, you too will perish.